Strategy. The portfolio's sub-adviser, Aegon USA Investment Management, LLC (the sub-adviser), seeks to achieve the portfolio's objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the portfolio's net assets (plus the amount of borrowings, if any, for investment purposes) in high-yield bonds (commonly known as junk bonds). The portfolio normally invests primarily in U.S. securities. Junk bonds are high-risk debt securities rated below investment grade (that is, securities rated below BBB by Standard & Poors or Fitch or below Baa by Moodys or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the sub-adviser). The sub-adviser seeks to achieve high returns for the portfolio while maintaining a reasonable risk profile. The sub-adviser uses a combination of a global top-down analysis … Show more… The portfolio's sub-adviser, Aegon USA Investment Management, LLC (the sub-adviser), seeks to achieve the portfolio's objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the portfolio's net assets (plus the amount of borrowings, if any, for investment purposes) in high-yield bonds (commonly known as junk bonds). The portfolio normally invests primarily in U.S. securities. Junk bonds are high-risk debt securities rated below investment grade (that is, securities rated below BBB by Standard & Poors or Fitch or below Baa by Moodys or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the sub-adviser). The sub-adviser seeks to achieve high returns for the portfolio while maintaining a reasonable risk profile. The sub-adviser uses a combination of a global top-down analysis of the macroeconomic and interest rate environment and proprietary bottom-up research of corporate and sovereign debt, stressed and distressed securities, and other debt instruments. In the sub-advisers top-down approach, the sub-adviser analyzes various fundamental, technical, sentiment, and valuation factors that the sub-adviser believes affect the movement of markets and securities prices worldwide. This top-down analysis assists the sub-adviser in analyzing portfolio risk and allocating assets among sectors, industries, and credit quality categories. In its proprietary bottom-up research, the sub-adviser considers various fundamental and other factors, such as creditworthiness and capital structure. The sub-adviser uses this combined top-down and bottom-up approach to determine asset class, sector, security, yield curve and duration positions for the portfolio. The sub-advisers research analysts also generally integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters within their analytical process for high-yield bonds, foreign securities (including emerging markets), investment grade bonds, certain asset-backed securities, private residential mortgage-backed securities, certain preferred equity, privately issued debt securities issued pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S and certain cash equivalents (including corporate commercial paper) alongside traditional credit metrics as a risk management tool and as a method to identify financially material ESG factors and arrive at an independent, comprehensive view of the investment. The sub-advisers research analysts typically do not consider ESG factors when analyzing other investments, including, but not limited to, investments in certain bank loans, U.S. Treasury and agency mortgage-backed securities, common equity, cash, certain cash equivalent securities, asset-backed commercial paper, repurchase agreements and money market instruments. Consideration of ESG matters is subjective and not determinative in the sub-advisers investment process. The sub-adviser may conclude that other attributes of an investment outweigh ESG considerations when making investment decisions. The sub-advisers research analysts do not take ESG factors into consideration with respect to every investment in the portfolio. The portfolio has no maturity or duration requirements or limitations. The portfolio may invest in foreign securities, including up to 10% of its net assets in emerging market securities. The sub-adviser considers emerging market countries as countries that major international financial institutions, such as the World Bank, generally consider to be less economically mature than developed nations. To a lesser extent, the portfolio may invest in investment grade bonds, bank loans, asset backed and mortgage backed securities, preferred equity securities, common equity securities (received in connection with exchanges or restructurings) and cash equivalents. The portfolio may also invest in hybrid instruments having both debt and equity characteristics. The portfolio may invest in privately issued securities, including those that are normally purchased pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Show less